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The Canadian Bar Association and the Department of Justice Canada offer the Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism. The Awards celebrate outstanding journalism that fosters public awareness and understanding of any aspect of the Canadian justice system and the roles played by institutions and participants in the legal system. Awards are given for French or English stories in two categories: print and broadcast media.

Details Criteria The criteria for judging entries are accuracy, originality, effectiveness in explaining issues to the public, informational value and insight. Eligibility Any article published in print or posted on the web, or report/program broadcast in Canada about the Canadian legal system between May 16, 2011 and May 15, 2012. If an article or posting or report/program is published or broadcast more than once, it is the original date that will determine its eligibility. A series of articles/programs/postings will be considered as one entry. A series of articles or stories/reports/postings prepared by a group and presented together will be considered as one entry. A maximum of three stories/reports/postings can be submitted as a single entry. The majority of the articles or stories/reports/postings must have been published during the eligibility period. Editorials or columns that only express opinions are not eligible. However columns that are narrative, descriptive, or informational in nature are eligible subject to the discretion of the judges. There are no posthumous awards. The judges will have the final say on any question of an entry's eligibility. Completed entries with $25 fee per entry must be submitted by June 1. Presentation Officials from the CBA and the Department of Justice Canada will present the Awards to the number one choice in each category, while Certificates of Merit will be given to a maximum of two runners-up in each category at the discretion of the jury. Award recipients will be provided with transportation and accommodation to attend the event. Application Procedure Completed entries must be submitted to the Justicia Awards, Canadian Bar Association, 865 Carling Avenue, Suite 500, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 on or before June 1. Four copies of the article, story on disc (DVD or CD). An official transcript showing publication date must be included. A summary of the entry topic (50 words) A brief description of how the entry contributes to the understanding of the justice system (50 words) A biographical sketch of writer/reporter/producer(s) (50 words) Completed entry form A cheque, made payable to the Canadian Bar Association for $25 per entry. Selection Process Entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges selected by the CBA and the Department of Justice Canada. Award Each Justicia Award is a bronze statuette, an interpretation in miniature of the statue of Justicia which stands in front of the Supreme Court of Canada Building in Ottawa. Certificates of Merit may be presented for meritorious entries at the discretion of the judges. Award Winners 2011 - Dominique Forget - freelance reporter, L’actualité (print) Laura Lynch, Lucy Bailey and Jeremy Skeet - BBC World Service News and Current Affairs (broadcast)  2010 - Pasquale Turbide and Johanne Bonneau - Enquête, Radio-Canada (broadcast) Louise Dickson, Lindsay Kines, Rob Shaw, Dave Obee, Les Leyne, and Stephanie Coombs - Victoria Times Colonist (print) 2009 - Peter McKnight - Vancouver Sun (print) Mia Sosiak, George Glen, Bruce Aalhus, and Joe McDaid - Global News Calgary (broadcast)   2008 - Don Butler - Ottawa Citizen Madeleine Roy and Mireille Ledoux - Societé Radio-Canada    2007 - Sue Bailey and Jim Bronskill - The Canadian Press John Kastner - CTV Documentary     2006 - Société Radio Canada – Enjeux Peter McKnight – Vancouver Sun     2005 - Georgia Straight - Shannon Rupp CBC News Canada Now/Newsworld - Scott Moore and Ian Hanomansing    2004 - The Ottawa Citizen - Dan Gardner Radio-Canada, Enjeux - Sylvie Fournier and Pier Gagné     2003 - The Globe and Mail - Kirk Makin CPAC - Tasha Kheiriddin Radio Canada, La Tribune du Québec - Danny Braün and Lucie Benoît Toronto Star      2002 - The Globe and Mail - Kirk Makin Radio Canada, Zone Libre - Anne Panasuk and Kristina von Hlatky Edmonton Journal - Ed Struzik    2001 - The Toronto Star - Nick Pron, Donovan Vincent CBC, the fifth estate - Harvey Cashore, Howard Goldenthal CBC News - Mark Bulgutch, Cynthia Kinch   2000 - Halifax Herald - Paul Schneidereit (Halifax, NS) Radio Canada, Le Point - Valerie Lesage (Montréal, QC)

Application Application Form (.pdf) Deadline June 1 Contact Alison Crone Communications Coordinator, Canadian Bar Association alisonc@cba.org